Technical Abstract:
The Deployed War-Fighter Protection Program leverages new and existing materials into improvements for the Department of Defense (DoD) pest management system. Personnel deployed in support of US military operations in hot-arid zones are urged to use personal protective measures (PPM) such as DEET or treated bed nets and clothing to protect against arthropod disease vectors and nuisance insects. However, irregular use of PPM coupled with widespread substandard sanitation in operational environments result in routine exposure to insect threats. We initiated a research program to develop techniques to substantially reduce disease vector and nuisance insect populations in hot-arid combat zones, thereby reducing, but not eliminating, insect threat loads regardless of PPM. Here we survey >30 field experiments investigating insecticide treatment of natural and artificial surfaces and ultra-low volume/thermal fog aerosol pesticide applications using existing spray equipment and US EPA-approved formulations against mosquitoes, filth flies, and sand flies. We describe the evolution of these techniques through combinations of equipment, materials, chemicals, locations, timing, and configuration, and we show the progression in our understanding of their abilities and limitations in a range of environments. Finally we propose how the techniques could be synergized in the DoD pest management system, or any structured pest management system, and fielded immediately.